By Eniola Amadu
U.S. President Donald Trump has announced plans to impose a 100% tariff on movies produced outside the United States, a move he says is intended to protect Hollywood.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump claimed that movie production “has been stolen’’ from the U.S., and pledged that “any and all movies made outside of the United States” would be taxed at full rate.
The statement, however, left several questions unanswered.
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It remains unclear how such tariffs would be applied, given that films and television shows are increasingly transmitted digitally rather than shipped as physical goods.
Analysts also point out the ambiguity of how the proposal would affect U.S.-funded films shot abroad, such as international blockbusters like James Bond and Jason Bourne.
Meanwhile, Trump has not provided a timeline for implementation.
The president had first floated the idea in May, but this is the first time he has repeated it with specificity. His administration has yet to outline any legal framework under which the tariffs could be enforced.
Trade experts suggest the policy could backfire. Barry Appleton, co-director of the Center for International Law at the New York Law Center, said other countries may retaliate with levies on U.S. films or related industries.
“Brand America is way, way ahead,” he noted. “What this policy does is actually cook the golden goose that’s laying the golden eggs.”
Data shows that the U.S. film industry already holds a dominant position globally.
According to the Motion Picture Association, American movies generated $22.6 billion in exports and a trade surplus of $15.3 billion in 2023.
The report added that U.S. films posted a positive balance of trade in every major market worldwide.
Trade analyst Jacob Jensen of the American Action Forum described movies as an unusual choice for tariff battles, noting that American films remain the most accessible and best performing globally, in part because of their wide distribution and multiple language options.
Trump has frequently used tariffs as a tool in his trade policy, often against traditional U.S. allies as well as rivals.
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In recent months, he has announced new duties on pharmaceuticals, heavy trucks, kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities.
While Hollywood remains a global leader, industry observers warn that aggressive tariff measures could invite international pushback and disrupt one of America’s most profitable cultural exports.
